Recap: Wizards at Clippers

The Wizards five game winning streak comes to an end as the Clippers control this one from end to end and win, 113-99. Chris Paul led the way for the Clippers with 30 points, 15 assists, and six rebounds. J.J. Redick also contributed 26 points including 4-7 from three point range. The Wizards had held their last 11 opponents to under 100 points per game; that also ended tonight.

The Clippers shot a smoking hot 52% for the game and 52% from three-point range. The shooting display started right from the get go as Matt Barnes and J.J. Redick hit threes on back to back possession to open the game. Shooting was the difference in the quarter as the Clippers shot 61% and the Wizards shot just 25% and found themselves down 35-21.

The second quarter was a different story as the Wizards hit their first eight shots to start the quarter including three from Bradley Beal who had 10 points in that stretch. The Clippers just kept knocking down threes and everyone got in on the action. Hell, Spencer Hawyes even knocked down a three.

The Wizards were able to end the quarter on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 9 but once again, the Clippers answered with a 3 and led at half 66-54.

The two teams traded baskets to start the third quarter, defense was optional. The Wizards stayed within striking distance and were able to cut the lead to seven on a fadeaway jumper from Marcin Gortat midway through the quarter.

Things got chippy as an outlet pass was thrown to Blake Griffin and he attempted to go up for a dunk but Paul Pierce grabbed him around the neck and held him down to make sure he didn’t do so. Pierce was called for a flagrant-1, not much argument there. Later in the quarter, Griffin went up for a dunk again and fell awkwardly. Nene made contact on the hip and he was called for a questionable flagrant-1 call as well.

For most of the game, the Clippers prevented the Wiz from getting out in transition. Here, Ramon Sessions found a streaking John Wall who pulled his 360 layup and confused Matt Barnes in the process.

The lead was still hovering around 10-12 and the Clippers couldn’t put the Wizards away.

The Clippers turned the ball over on four straight possessions to start the quarter and the Wiz took advantage. John Wall hit a three pointer and then found Kevin Seraphin in transition for an alley-oop and all of a sudden the lead was at six.

The Wizards endured a cold shooting stretch after that going just 2-14 from the field during the midway part of the fourth quarter. J.J. Redick hit a jumper off a screen and then a three in transition and the lead was back at 13. That was all she wrote as the Wizards would fall 113-99. Not a terrible loss as the Clippers were blazing hot. Wiz play in Sacramento on Sunday for a chance to rebound.